Welsh Government To Review Supermarket Ban On Non-Essential Items
Under 'firebreak' lockdown rules certain items can't be sold
Last updated 25th Oct 2020
Wales' First Minister says he'll review the ban on supermarkets selling non essential items during the 'firebreak' lockdown.
A petition calling for it to be scrapped now has more than 40 thousand signatures after anger that items including baby clothes, duvets and books were considered 'non essential'.
Mark Drakeford says the Welsh Government will review how the weekend has gone with supermarkets and make sure 'common sense is applied'.
The First Minister had previously said the ban was needed in the interests of fairness as smaller, independent shops selling non essential items have been forced to close as part of the 17 day firebreak lockdown.
On Twitter the First Minister said: "We’ll be reviewing how the weekend has gone with the supermarkets and making sure that common sense is applied. Supermarkets can sell anything that can be sold in any other type of shop that isn't required to close.
"In the meantime, please only leave home if you need to.
"Thank you for all your efforts over the last 24 hours to stay at home. We know people are fed up. It’s not easy, but we all have a responsibility to stop the virus spreading."
Leader of the Welsh Conservatives Paul Davies has called for the ban to be scrapped - or for Welsh Parliament to be recalled so the ban can be debated in the Senedd.
He said: "Some people will view some items as essential and others will view other items as non essential.
"It's very confusing and that is why it think it's absolutely crucial the Welsh Government scrap this measure given the anger we've seen in our communities."